Southern Kentucky urged to prep for Total Solar Eclipse visitors

With NASA predicting 100,000 to 500,000 visitors to southern Kentucky for the Total Solar Eclipse, transportation officials are urging businesses to prepare for the once-in-a-lifetime event.

Specifically, Hopkinsville is in the "path of totality" for the eclipse on Aug. 21.

Officials said state and local agencies have started to prepare, and business should follow suit.

“With NASA predicting between 100,000 and 500,000 visitors to the region for the eclipse, we’re urging businesses to think through some of the supply challenges that may be created by heavy traffic and several days of high demand for food, fuel and grocery supplies,” Mike McGregor, District 1 chief engineer, said. “The time to plan is now.”

Officials said heavy traffic could affect southern Kentuckians drive to work, long lines at the fuel pump and ability of vendors to delivery critical goods during traffic congestion. Officials said businesses should try to schedule deliveries during the night when traffic is light.

Here are some other tips businesses could follow:

Consider early and overnight delivery of critical supplies due to expected daytime traffic snarls.